After the success of the initial MG ZS EV, the market was quick to welcome the MG 5 toward the end of 2020. However, both of those models suffered from a lack of range, with the original ZS barely passing 160 miles WLTP. The company committed to a continuous cycle of improvement and now, just three years later, MG has reaped the rewards with record sales – selling over 12,000 in March 2023 alone.
MG registered close to 21,000 new vehicles in Q1 2023, an increase of almost 50% on the same period in 2022. That surge has been led by WhichEV’s Car of the Year for 2023, the MG4.
While the senior management team at companies like Mazda are find of telling us that range is not a factor for their customers, it’s no accident that the Tesla Model Y and MG4 are so popular – with WLTP ranges of way more than 200 miles on a single charge for both cars.
Toward the end of 2021, MG launched the Long Range version of the ZS at a very affordable price and suddenly MG’s sales shot up. It gave drivers a chance to get a WLTP range of more than 270 miles on a business lease that started under £350 a month.
The 250 mile long range refresh of the MG5 followed, with business leasing starting a shade under £300.
In the same way that high-end vehicles are constantly compared to Tesla models in terms of performance and range, so MG has become a reference brand for affordable distance.
While the refresh MG5 and ZS were interesting, it was the dynamic design of the MG4 that really captivated the market. Especially in Volcano Orange, which is one of those colours that manages to stand out a mile – without actually upsetting people. If you’re lucky enough to find one, the MG4 (complete with the larger 64kWh battery) and a WLTP range of more than 280 miles, can be found from £260 on a business lease.
If you opt for the Trophy version with a long range battery, then the WLTP range hits close to 360 miles when driving in towns and cities. Given the UK average driver does 20 miles a day, that’s enough range for 18 days of average commuting in slow moving traffic.
Listening to our readers, the only major drawback/point of disappointment with MG so far, has been the lack of sufficient stock on the market and some extraordinary waiting times on the top models. Good problem to have for any manufacturer. Does make you wonder what kind of figures MG could hit, if its manufacturing could ramp up to meet all of the available demand.
“We had high ambitions for the first quarter of 2023, but couldn’t be happier with what we’ve achieved,” said Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director at MG Motor UK. “To be positioned just behind Tesla in the new electric car sales chart is an outstanding result, and a mark of the quality and outstanding value for money offered by our range.”
All MG electric vehicles come with a 7 year warranty and the MG5/ZS models are presently being supported by a £1,000 price reduction if you test drive now.